U.S. patent number 5,197,884 [Application Number 07/699,603] was granted by the patent office on 1993-03-30 for question and answer game for stimulating interest in news periodicals.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Tymroe Venture Partners. Invention is credited to James W. Roemer, Jr., Paul V. Tymchyn.
United States Patent |
5,197,884 |
Roemer, Jr. , et
al. |
March 30, 1993 |
Question and answer game for stimulating interest in news
periodicals
Abstract
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a
question and answer game for stimulating interest in commercial
publications. The question and answer game includes a news
periodical having a plurality of sections. At least one question is
formed integral with the news periodical. The question is
formulated such that the answer is found in an actual article
appearing in the news periodical. An answer form is also integral
with the news periodical. The answer form includes a first section
for recording the answer to the at least one question appearing in
the news periodical. The answer form further includes a second
section for recording the location where the answer was found.
Inventors: |
Roemer, Jr.; James W. (East
Berne, NY), Tymchyn; Paul V. (Altamont, NY) |
Assignee: |
Tymroe Venture Partners
(Albany, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
24810051 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/699,603 |
Filed: |
May 14, 1991 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
434/178; 273/429;
273/430; 283/56; 434/167 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F
9/18 (20130101); G09B 3/04 (20130101); G09B
17/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63F
9/18 (20060101); G09B 17/00 (20060101); G09B
3/00 (20060101); G09B 3/04 (20060101); G09B
017/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;434/177,167,128,178
;273/429,430,431,432 ;283/903,56 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Washington Post, Mar. 14, 1991 edition "Classified Quest"..
|
Primary Examiner: Wilson; J.
Assistant Examiner: Smith; Jeffrey A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Shlesinger, Arkwright &
Garvey
Claims
We claim:
1. A question and answer game for stimulating interest in news
periodicals, comprising:
a) news periodical having at least one section, said at least one
section including a plurality of printed indicia therein; and,
b) inquiry means for causing an individual to review at least a
portion of said at least one section of said news periodical, said
inquiry means including a plurality of questions, the answer to
which is found in the printed indicia in said at least one section;
and,
c) at least one letter of a game winning answer is associated with
each of said plurality of questions, said at least one letter being
independent of the answer to said plurality of questions.
2. A question and answer game as in claim 1, wherein:
a) said inquiry means is integral with said news periodical.
3. A question and answer game as in claim 2, further including:
a) an answer form means for recording an answer to said plurality
of questions, said answer form means is integral with said news
periodical.
4. A question and answer game as in claim 3, wherein:
a) said answer form means includes a section for designating at
what location in said news periodical the answer to said was
found.
5. A question and answer game as in claim 3, wherein:
a) said answer for means includes a section for designating page
number of said news periodical where the answer to said plurality
of questions was found.
6. A question and answer game as in claim 2, wherein:
a) answer form means is integral with said news periodical, said
answer form means includes a first section for printing answers to
said plurality of questions and a second section for printing page
numbers of said news periodical where the answers were found.
7. A question and answer game as in claim 1, wherein:
a) said inquiry means is separate from said news periodical.
8. A question and answer game as in claim 1, wherein:
a) said plurality of printed indicia of said at least one section
form a plurality of news and advertising articles;
9. A question and answer game as in claim 1, wherein:
a) said plurality of printed indicia of said at least one section
form a plurality of news and advertising articles, said plurality
of news and advertising articles are randomly organized.
10. A question and answer game as in claim 1, wherein:
a) said news periodical includes a plurality of sections; and,
b) said inquiry means includes at least two questions, the answer
to each of which are found in different sections of said news
periodical.
11. A question and answer game as in claim 1, wherein:
a) said plurality of questions are the sole means for causing an
individual to review said at least a portion of said at least one
section of said news periodical having said answer.
12. A method of stimulating individuals to review articles
appearing in news periodicals, comprising the steps of:
a) providing news periodicals having at least one section including
advertising and news articles;
b) providing inquiry means for causing an individual to review at
least one section of the news periodical, the inquiry means
including at least one question;
c) formulating the at least one question such that the answer is
found in one of the advertising and news articles; and,
d) providing an answer form in the at least one section of the news
periodical, the answer form having an answer blank for the player
to record the location of the news periodical where the answer to
the at least one question was found.
13. A method as in claim 12, including the further step of:
a) providing the at least one question in the at least one section
of the news periodical.
14. A method as in claim 13, including the further step of:
a) formulating the questions specific to a particular issue of the
news periodical.
15. A method as in claim 12, further including the step of:
a) providing the at least one question separate from the news
periodical.
16. A method as in claim 15, further including the step of:
a) formulating the at least one question generally such that an
answer may be found in a plurality of issues of the news
periodical.
17. A method as in claim 12, further including the step of:
a) providing a plurality of questions; and,
b) associating a letter with each of the plurality of questions
such that by answering each question correctly an individual forms
a word with the letters associated with each of the questions.
18. A question and answer game for stimulating interest in news
periodicals, comprising:
a) news periodical having at least one section including
advertising and news articles;
b) inquiry means for causing an individual to review at least a
portion of said at least one section of said news periodical, said
inquiry means including at least one question, the answer to which
is found in one of said advertising and news articles;
c) said at least one question is integral with said news
periodical; and,
d) an answer form means for recording an answer to said at least
one question, said answer form means being integral with said news
periodical and having an answer blank for a player to record a
location of said news periodical where the answer was found.
19. A question and answer game as in claim 18, wherein:
a) said advertising and news articles are randomly organized.
20. A question and answer game as in claim 18, wherein:
a) said news periodical includes a plurality of sections; and,
b) said inquiry means includes a plurality of questions, the answer
to each of which are found in different sections of said news
periodical.
21. A question and answer game as in claim 20, wherein:
a) at least one letter is associated with each of said plurality of
questions such that by answering each question correctly said
letters spell out a word.
22. A question and answer game as in claim 18, wherein:
a) said at least one question is the sole means for causing an
individual to review said advertising and news articles where the
answer is found.
23. A question and answer game for stimulating individuals to
review articles appearing in new periodicals, comprising:
a) plurality of game cards, said plurality of game cards includes
at least one question card;
b) said at least one question card includes at least first, second
and third sections;
c) said first section includes at least one question, the answer to
which is found in a news periodical;
d) said second section includes a designating means for designating
a particular issue of the news periodical where the answer must be
found; and,
e) said third section includes a letter associated with said at
least one question, said letter being independent of the answer to
said at least one question.
24. A question and answer game as in claim 23, wherein:
(a) said designating means includes a listing of each day of the
week; and,
b) said first section includes a question for each day of the
week.
25. A question and answer game as in claim 24, wherein:
a) said plurality of game cards include a bonus card permitting a
player to designate which day of the week the answers must be
found.
26. A question and answer game as in claim 25, wherein:
a) said third section includes a letter associated with each of
said questions listed in said first section.
27. A question and answer game as in claim 23, wherein:
a) said plurality of game cards include a plurality of question
cards each having said first, second and third sections;
b) said second section of each of said plurality of question cards
lists each day of the week;
c) said first sections of each of said plurality of question cards
includes a question for each day of the week; and
d) said third sections of each of said plurality of question cards
includes a letter for each question listed in said first
section.
28. A question and answer game as in claim 27, wherein:
a) said letters of said third sections of said plurality of
question cards spell out a word.
29. A question and answer game as in claim 28, wherein:
a) said letters of said third section of at least one question card
have a color different from at least one other question card.
30. A question and answer game as in claim 29, wherein:
a) said plurality of game cards includes at least one challenge
card permitting a player to select a letter from his opponent.
31. A question and answer game for stimulating interest in news
periodicals, comprising:
a) news periodical having at least one section, said at least one
section including a plurality of printed indicia therein; and,
b) inquiry means for causing an individual to review at least a
portion of said at least one section of said news periodical, said
inquiry means consisting of a plurality of questions, the answer to
which is found in the printed indicia in said at least one section,
each of said plurality of questions being free from indicia which
identify to the player the location in said at least one section
where the answer can be found.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to method and apparatus for
stimulating interest in commercially distributed publications. More
specifically, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is
directed to a question and answer game, one purpose of which is to
motivate individuals and commercial entities to read and advertise
in newspapers and other related commercial publications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Corporations and other business entities which distribute
commercial publications in general, and newspapers in particular
have experienced a decline in profitability resulting from a lack
of interest on the part of the consumers. The cause of the economic
decline experienced by corporations in the commercial publication
industry is readily apparent. Specifically, consumers' ambivalence
or disinterest in commercial publications has translated directly
to poor circulation and low revenues derived therefrom.
Furthermore, a drop-off in circulation inevitably results in
advertisers seeking other mediums in which to convey their products
and/or services to consumers. It is widely accepted in the industry
that advertising fees form by far the major source of revenue for
business entities in the publication industry. Thus, these entities
cannot afford to loose advertisers. Rather, it is necessary for
them to enlarge their advertising clientele to remain competitive
in the industry.
It is readily apparent from the above discussion that circulation
is tantamount to survival in the commercial publication
industry.
Lack of interest in commercial publications such as newspapers and
the like also adversely affects the public at large. More
specifically, a substantial percentage of students at all levels
have shown little interest in reading publications of any type,
including newspapers, on a regular basis. On the contrary, todays
students have become more and more dependent upon the television
for entertainment. As a result, students reading skills in general
and reading comprehension in particular have suffered dearly.
Moreover, students have demonstrated a minimal understanding of
current events at home and abroad. The same holds true for the
general knowledge of current events and reading skills of
adults.
Therefore, the commercial publication industry is sorely in need of
method and apparatus for stimulating interest in newspapers and
related publications.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide method and
apparatus for stimulating consumer interest in commercial
publications such as newspapers, magazines and the like.
Another object of the present invention is to provide method and
apparatus for motivating consumers to read commercial publications
such as newspapers, magazines and the like in their entirety.
A further object of the present invention is to provide method and
apparatus for improving reading skills of students and adults.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide method
and apparatus for improving knowledge of students and adults
relating to current events at home and abroad.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide method
and apparatus for directing a reader's attention to specific news
or advertising articles appearing in commercial publications.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide
method and apparatus which encourages advertisement in commercial
publications such as newspapers, magazines and the like.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a question
and answer game which includes questions formulated such that the
answers are found in actual advertising or news articles in
commercial publications thereby requiring an individual to read the
same.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a question
and answer game which requires players to designate the location in
the commercial publication at which the answer appears thereby
insuring that the player did not obtain the answer from a
collateral source.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a
question and answer game where at least some questions are
formulated such that the answers can be found in only a particular
issue of a commercial publication.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a
question and answer game where at least some of the questions are
formulated such that the answers can be found in a number of issues
of a commercial publication.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a
question and answer game where the questions are the sole means by
which a player is directed to the section of the commercial
publication having the answer thereby requiring a player to review
substantial portions thereof.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a question
and answer game which directs the player to a number of different
sections of the newspaper.
In summary, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is
directed to a novel and unobvious question and answer game for
stimulating interest in commercial publications. The question and
answer game includes a news periodical having a plurality of
sections. At least one question is formed integral with the news
periodical. The question is formulated such that the answer is
found in an actual article appearing in the news periodical. An
answer form is also integral with the news periodical. The answer
form includes a first section for recording the answer to the at
least one question appearing in the news periodical. The answer
form further includes a second section for recording the location
in the newspaper where the answer was found.
These objects and advantages of the preferred embodiments of the
present invention as well as others will be readily apparent from a
review of the specification, drawings and claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the components of a first
embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2a through 2d are a plan view of the various game cards of
the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2e is a plan view of a typical set of question cards.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present
invention with a portion thereof broken away.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the broken away portion in FIG.
3.
DETAILED DESCRlPTION OF THE INVENTION
The preferred embodiments of the present invention Will be
described with reference made to FIGS. 1 through 4.
FIGS. 1 AND 2
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described in
connection with FIGS. 1 and 2.
Referring to FIG. 1, the components of the first embodiment are
illustrated therein. More specifically, the first embodiment
includes a newspaper A and a plurality of game cards B. Although a
newspaper is illustrated as being one of the components of the
first embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily
appreciated that other commercial publications may be substituted
therefor. For example, magazines of virtually any kind would be
suitable for the question and answer game of the present invention.
As is conventional, newspaper A is comprised of a plurality of
sections including a front page section 1, a style section 2, a
business section 3, a metro section 4 and a sports section 5. It
will be readily appreciated that the newspaper A may be comprised
of one or more of these sections or may include other sections such
as a classified section, real estate section or an editorial
section. In other words, any conventional newspaper may be
used.
Preferably, there are 53 game cards B. Referring to FIGS. 2a
through 2d, examples of the various game cards are illustrated
therein. More specifically, referring to FIG. 2a the game cards B
include one team start card 6 which, when drawn, commences the
game. Further, the game cards B include two collection cards 7 of
the type illustrated in FIG. 2b and a bonus card 8 of the type
illustrated in FIG. 2c. The remaining forty-eight game cards B are
question cards 9 of the type illustrated in FIGS. 2d and 2e.
Preferably, each question card 9 is subdivided into sections 10, 11
and 12. Section 10 has the heading GAME DAY and lists therebelow
each day of the week. Section 11 has the heading GAME QUESTION and
lists thereunder one question for each day of the week. Section 12
has the heading GAME LETTER and includes a letter of the alphabet
associated with each question listed in section 11. Preferably,
thirty-two of the forty-eight question cards have letters listed in
Section 12 of a first color such as blue and the remaining sixteen
question cards have letters of a second color such as red. The
different colored letters identify the difficulty of the
questions.
The thirty-two blue letter question cards are subdivided into four
sets each having eight question cards. A typical set of question
cards is illustrated in FIG. 2e. Each set is arranged such that the
eight letters associated with each game day spell out the word
NEWSBEAT, as shown in FIG. 2e. For example, the eight letters
associated with the game day Monday (for the set illustrated in
FIG. 2e) spell out the word NEWSBEAT in order. The same holds true
for the remaining days of the week. However, the eight letters
spelling NEWSBEAT for the remaining days of the week do not appear
in order.
The sixteen red letter game cards are subdivided into two sets of
eight question cards. Each set is arranged such that the letters
associated with each game day spell out the word NEWSBEAT in the
same manner as the set illustrated in FIG. 2e.
The preferred manner of playing the question and answer game of the
first embodiment of the present invention will be described
hereinafter.
The players may agree as to the "game day", i.e. which issue of the
newspaper will be used. Alternatively, some means may be provided
for determining the "game day". For example, a multi-sided die
having a different day of the week printed on each side may be
provided. A player from a particular team would then roll the die
to determine which issue of the newspaper is to be used. All
sections of the selected issue of a newspaper are compiled and
positioned on the designated playing area. For purposes of
illustration only, the Tuesday edition of the newspaper has been
chosen, as shown in FIG. 1. The fifty-three playing cards B are
shuffled and are turned face down. As seen in FIG. 1, when the
playing cards B are turned face down the name of the game appears
on the other side thereof with any slogan that may be desired.
Preferably, the players are divided into two teams. Any number of
players may be on a particular team. One player of one of the teams
deals the cards face up until one team receives the team start card
6. The remaining game cards B are positioned in a stack face
down.
The team which drew the team start card 6 gets the choice of
drawing a card or having their opponents do so. Assuming that the
team receiving the team start card 6 wishes to go first, they draw
a card from the stack of game cards B. If a question card is drawn,
then that team tries to answer the Tuesday question from the
Tuesday edition of the newspaper. Thus, the team searches through
and reads the various sections of the Tuesday edition to find the
answer for that days question. A time limit is placed on the team
in which they must find the answer to the question. Preferably, a
team is given approximately two minutes to answer the question. If
the team is successful in answering the question, they hold onto
the question card to make record of the game letter acquired. The
letter will be one of the letters in the word NEWSBEAT. If the
answer is not found, the card is placed on the bottom of the pile
and no letter is recorded for that particular team.
Regardless of whether the answer is found or not, the other team
subsequently draws a card. If a question card is drawn the team
tries to answer the question associated with the game day Tuesday
in the same manner as described above. The first team to spell out
the word NEWSBEAT using eight separate game cards wins.
Should one of the teams draw either of the two collections cards 7,
they may choose a letter from the opposing team's NEWSBEAT
spelling. The bonus card 8, when drawn, permits that team to
request a different game day.
Since there are six different sets of game cards B, six separate
spellings of NEWSBEAT are present. Thus, a team may draw a question
having a letter of NEWSBEAT associated therewith which they already
have. The team will still wish to answer the question correctly in
the event their opponent should draw a collection card. However,
due to the multiple spellings of NEWSBEAT, it may be necessary for
a team to answer more than eight questions.
Preferably, there are three winning classifications: (1)
Publishers' Club--spelling of NEWSBEAT with all red letters; (2)
Editors' Club--spelling of NEWSBEAT with all blue letters; and, (3)
Reporters' Club--spelling of NEWSBEAT with a combination of red or
blue letters.
The questions listed in section 11 of each of the forty-eight
question cards 9 are of a general nature such that the answer will
be found in any issue of the newspaper. For example, as seen in
FIG. 2d, the question associated with the game day Wednesday is
"Underline an Association Word". The answer to this particular
question can be found in virtually any edition of the newspaper.
The questions in each set of question cards 9 for a particular
issue are formulated in such a manner that a player is directed to
a number of different sections of the newspaper. Thus, by playing
the game the players read virtually the entire paper thereby
improving their reading comprehension skills and knowledge of
current events.
Further, the random nature in which articles appear in the
newspaper requires the players to review a substantial portion
thereof. More specifically, news articles and advertising articles
(except in the classified section) do not generally appear in
alphabetical or chronological order. Therefore, a player cannot
simply turn to the desired area of the newspaper. Moreover, because
the content of the questions appearing in section 11 is the only
means by which the player is directed to the answer in the
newspaper, it is necessary for the player to review and read a
great number of articles.
It will be readily appreciated that separate editions of the game
may be provided for adults and children. Of course, the questions
for the children's edition would be considerably easier than the
adult's edition.
FIGURES 3 AND 4
A second preferred embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference made to the above-identified figures.
Referring to FIG. 3, a conventional newspaper C is illustrated
therein. A portion of the newspaper C is broken away to reveal a
page having printed thereon a NEWSBEAT game question listing D and
a NEWSBEAT answer form E. Referring to FIG. 4, the NEWSBEAT game
question listing D and answer form E are enlarged for a better
appreciation thereof. A portion 13 of listing D, includes eight
questions for the Sunday edition of the newspaper. Portion 14 of
listing D identifies eight letters forming the word NEWSBEAT, one
letter being associated with each question.
The questions listed in portion 13 are preferably formulated such
that the answers are found in actual news or advertising articles
appearing in the newspaper. Thus, the player must read the articles
to find the answers to the questions. Furthermore, it is desirable
to formulate the eight questions such that at least some of the
questions direct the game player to different sections of the paper
so that the player must review the newspaper in its entirety. As
opposed to the first embodiment, the questions of the second
embodiment may be formed specific to a particular edition of the
newspaper. Preferably, symbols or other search aids, other than the
content of the questions themselves, are not used to assist the
player in locating the answers. This feature of the present
invention helps to ensure that the player will thoroughly read the
newspaper.
The answer form E has a portion 15 where the player is to record
the answers to the eight questions listed in portion 13 of section
D. Also, form E includes a page designation portion 16 which
requires the game player to record the page at which he or she
found the answer to the particular question. This feature ensures
that the player has obtained the answer from his or her review of
the newspaper rather than some other collateral source of
information. A weakness line 17 borders the answer form E to permit
a player to detach the same from the newspaper.
It will be readily appreciated that the number of questions may be
varied as desired. Furthermore, any word may be chosen to be
spelled out by the player. It is readily apparent that the
questions and letters associated therewith spelling out the
particular word may appear consecutively in a number of different
issues rather than in a single issue. Moreover, the question and
answer game of the present invention does not require the spelling
of a particular word. Although this embodiment has been described
as a game which is played on a daily basis, it can be played over
any particular time interval.
The newspaper can provide numerous different incentives to
consumers to encourage them to play the game.
While this invention has been described as having a preferred
design, it is understood that it is capable of further
modifications, uses and/or adaptions of the invention following in
general the principle of the invention including such departures
from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary
practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be
applied to the central features set forth and fall within the scope
of the invention and the limits of the appended claims.
* * * * *